A preliminary list of the Herpetofauna from termite mounds of the cerrado in the Upper Tocantins river valley

Lorena A. Moreira,Hélder Lúcio Rodrigues Silva,Danté B. Fenolio,Nelson Jorge da Silva Jr

doi:10.1590/s0031-10492009001500001

Lorena A. Moreira, Hélder Lúcio Rodrigues Silva + Show 2 more

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https://doi.org/10.1590/s0031-10492009001500001

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Abstract

Termite mounds are known to offer refuge and microhabitats to a great variety of invertebrates and vertebrates. In the valley of the upper Tocantins River, within areas of influence of hydroelectric power plants 4,000 termite mounds were surveyed to evaluate the diversity of amphibians and reptiles using these environments. Surveys in termite mounds from two other areas (Corumbá River and Araguaia River basins) were used for comparative purposes. The results for termitaria in the upper Tocantins river valley revealed nine families, 13 genera, and 25 species of amphibians, and 16 families, 32 genera, and 47 species of squamate reptiles. Compared to a general herpetofaunal list of the region, the data indicate that between 30.6% and 56.8% of the species use termitaria.

Highlights

Termite mounds, or termitaria, are a distinctive component to the landscape of a variety of habitats worldwide, xeric biomes and provide refuge for smaller animals via physical cover and in maintaining more constant internal humidities and temperatures than the surrounding environment (Pomeroy & Service, 1986)
For the localities combined as the Upper Tocantins River Valley (Serra da Mesa and Cana Brava), 25 species of amphibians, representing nine families and two orders, were recorded from termitaria
The site of COR listed four families, four genera, and five species with all species found in the upper Tocantins river valley (UPT)

Summary

Introduction

Termitaria, are a distinctive component to the landscape of a variety of habitats worldwide, xeric biomes and provide refuge for smaller animals via physical cover and in maintaining more constant internal humidities and temperatures than the surrounding environment (Pomeroy & Service, 1986). In African woodland habitats, termite mounds add to the heterogeneity and complexity of the environment, increasing both biodiversity and environmental carrying capacity (Flemming & Loveridge, 2003). 3. Universidade Católica de Goiás, Departamento de Biologia. Avenida Universitário, 1.440, Setor Universitário, 74605‐010, Goiânia, GO. Rua 232, no 128, 3o andar, Área V, Setor Universitário

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